The 2018 winning streak of world number one Roger Federer came to an end yesterday after Juan Martin Del Potro saved three match points in a thrilling final at the BNP Paribas open to claim his maiden masters 1000 title

Federer who was going for back to back victories had chalked up 17 consecutive wins in 2018, a run which included his 20th grand slam title at the Australian open, but was unable to outlast the argentine who prevailed 6-4, 6-7, 7-6.

Del Potro had succeeded just six times in 24 previous attempts and the nail-biting final lasted almost three hours.

On the women’s side Japanese Naomi Osaka scored a commanding 6-3 6-2 victory over Russian Daria kasatkina in a battle of 20-year-olds to capture the title.